Today is December
14th 2013, and the fifth day of the Ride when the Riders will go 20
miles from Howard to Madison, South Dakota. If you look on the Community
page below you can see information on the towns the Riders go to. (Minnesota
being uploaded today)

I will continue adding
the comments from the Face Book group members each day and any stories
that come in from the Ride. At the bottom of the page you will see I
will be adding extra pages, so please if you see a live link click on
it to see what is on there.. Videos and positive items of interest are
added to the left side column of the page.

Photo by Keith Nichols

Interesting evening. After supper. The movie"Older Than America"
was shown. I felt that seeing it helps to bring awareness about the
abuse that went on back then n still does in communities across the
nation, even all over the world sad but true. Prayers for those who
have been subject to any type of abuse. Thank you Richard Milda for
speaking. May you all have a good night's rest n be ready for a good
ride tomorrow. Love you all - .Josette Peltier

Last night after dinner we watched a movie that Perry brought, Older
than America. It was very emotional and very relevant to everyone. We
talked a bit afterwords about the movie and the multiple challenges
that our native youth face today. We let them know that they are not
alone and that many of the older riders have faced the same issues.
We encouraged them to seek help and guidance if they needed it and that
there are many elders on this ride who can help. Check out the trailer
below. Thank you Perry. - Keith Nichols

I came across this poem today, and it really reminds me of our own
Warriors. This poem goes back to the times of the Vikings and its about
honor love forgiveness and the description of the horses , the crunch
of their hooves in the snow, the snort of their breath in the icy air,the
Warriors singing their songs and thinking long thoughts as the ride
beacons them and their thoughts are of the next warm place and food
and the smiles of those whom they love and whom love them. All of this
drives them forward. They themselves are poetry in action and one day
songs will be sung hundreds of decades after they are long gone, to
the Green planet, and there will be so many that wished yes that wished
they had been also on that golden ride. So here is a poem to inspire.
Rest well riders, rest well beasts, you sleep in the cup of the Creators
hand Raven, Rim of Fire Dec 13 Friday, a magical day - Nancy Kohn
Raven

"Veturinn" (Winter) -- from the old Icelandic poem written
by Bjarni Thorarensen

"Who
rides with such fury
A fiery charger
Through the high heavens
A horse snow-colored?
The mighty steed
From his mane tosses
Frozen flakes
That flutter earthward.
Glowing glitters

His gray
armor
On his shoulder there hangs
A shield ice-covered
On his head he wears
The helm of terror
The fearful Aegis
Frosty helmet He comes from the hoary
Haunts of midnight
Where the world force flows
From the well eternal
Where restless seas
Roar in breakers
On shores without spring
And summerless rocks.
He knows not of age

Though the
oldest gods
Where his playmates ere
The earth was fashioned
The last world will die
And desolation
Veil the suns
Ere his way is ended.

The strong
are strengthened
When his step approaches
The soft Earth grows firm
In his fierce embraces
The tears she wept
Are turned to diamonds
And her mourning garb
To a mantle of ermine...."

Vickie Blackeagle Williams
Thank you for accepting me. I watch the movies Dakota38 and was deeply
touched as I could feel the healing of this ride. Prayers to the riders
and all of those who are helping this ride happen.

Abby Peawhisle Even AFTER the Ride, you ALL, esp the younger ones,
WILL REMAIN in our thoughts and PRAYERS. The Prayers just DON'T stop with
the Ride. We carry EVERYONE involved in our hearts. You are NOT forgotten......Your
Family just got bigger. Hugs and Blessings

Vicki Williams Barry
It's a rainy morning here, in South Louisiana, but that didn't stop me
from offering tobacco for a safe journey.

For the Memorial riders
I call my fastest horse from the darkness
Horse wild as wolf teeth
Horse patient as stone
Horse who whispers to wind
From the West he comes
Pejuta Sunuka
Medicine Dog
Yah Yahhhhhhhhhhhh
- Nancy Kohn
Raven

Eagle
watches over the Riders

It
was an Awesome day, we got to the relay exchange to wait for the
riders and then then next leg of the riders (Ray Shepherds Tiwahe)
to continue to Howard SD. When the riders were approaching the
staff bearer was pointing up. A Bald Eagle was circling above
and was following the riders. It was an amazing feeling for me
as I thought about the Riders that are no longer with us. I took
the picture and it seemed to be at arms length. I was soaring
with the wambdi at that moment. This is what I meant that I had
to do this. Feeling the Healing! - Kxsw-fm Dakotah-Radio

Hazel
Hallum getting back on after her horse spooked sideways at an
old tire in the morning ..after she got back on she walked her
horse over to where she spooked before we continued...good horsewoman
aho - Richard Milda

Honoring Josette

Josette
Peltier being honored this morning for cooking on the Dakota
38+2...her last meal cooking for us this year. Wopila teuwi.
Thank you sister Josette Peltier for taking care of the riders
and supporters. Feeding our relatives is an act of love and
is sacred.- Alberta Iron Cloud Miller
and Richard Milda

Richard with the Staff, ready to Ride!

I have just gotten to know Arlene. What a wonderful woman. She
wanted me to post this letter she wrote. I hope you enjoy. -
Keith

Honor
for the 38+2 the year 1862, December 26
Down through the centuries our Dakota Oyate revered a strong
and spiritual belief which has brought us to this time again.
We are a people of an unseen unity, the strongest of lifes
cohesive unity  respect and honor as it has from the era
of our ancestors beginnings to be etched in stone to give to
our future generations so as to let them know who we are, our
stature which in time will carry us to every future man, woman
and child as is being given in likeness at this time. Our children
and many young people will remember who we honor with the remembrance
of this ride, to give to their Great Great Grand-Children what
has brought us to this endurance of our lives. Respect, responsibility,
reverence and re-birth wont ever end as long as our ancestors
blood lines continue down to everyone, the cohesive unity we
were born and raised with, to never be forgotten, and will not
ever end, because the pain lives in my heart and I weep bitterly.

Arlene
Fire, Crow Creek Hunkpati

Josette Peltier made a commitment in prayer to help with
the food on the ride. This sacred act continues to be shared
amongst our people as an old tradition. My parents always taught
us that the act of feeding people is sacred and signifies love
for the people. When our family planned a feed my Ate would
always tell us "put away that budget, open your pocket
book, we're going to feed"! This sacred sharing has been
a huge part of the ride. Looking back remember the winyan and
the men who helped to cook and feed the riders and supporters.
As winyan we are also taught to put good energy and love into
the cooking so that everyone will receive a healing through
the food as it is sacred medicine. Many thanks to all who provide
the meals! - Alberta Iron Cloud Miller

Having a break
before moving on again.

Richard
and Keith working behind the scenes

Pony with his
Pillow of hay

I simply love this. Thanks for the updates and putting up
a daily photo summary on the webpage. I really look forward
to seeing what each new day brings. Question: For next year's
ride, I would like to help sponsor a rider. How can I arrange
this? I think that adopting a rider would be an incredible family
experience. Ride safe! I will send warm prayers from inipi tomorrow.
- Sara EagleBoy

In
answer to Sara's idea we will be working on it in the new year!
- Gloria

I
am at home, fireplace going, warm;... Reflecting on the past
24 hours or so. What a huge impact this timeframe has had on
me! As we left the kc hall yesterday evening Zsakiah ( our 12
yr old) was so full of questions & concern. I I did my very
best to explain the Dakota 38 Ride to the best of my ability.
We were driving East headed home, when he asked if we could
keep going to see if we could catch up with the riders whom
utilized the nice weather to further their journey, I told him,
"yes but they are at least 2 hours past now."

We drove to the 1st curve past 37 as he was inquiring about
the dates, he stopped and told me, "but Mom?! that's past
Christmas, you mean them kids I saw in town earlier and that
girl that's Ambys age n well all of them like wont be home with
family n presents n stuff? You mean they will really be riding
on?! In the cold- it's winter!" His eyes are now welling
up, I pull over to turn around and say to him that " these
riders are sharing a great gift by doing this, one of hope for
reconciliation and healing, this is HUGE son! " ( so now
I find myself in tears with my little boy) as we head home I
keep talking best I know how telling him they are " in
ceremony" and what positivity this is creating, he finally
smiles and tells me "even tho we didn't catch up to them
tonight, I feel them, I feel proud for them" ....

I told him I was given the documentary earlier when he was at
school and we would watch it all together to help us all get
a fuller understanding.... he woke this morning eager to drive
to town to hopefully just be in their presence briefly before
school, he and Amberiah Smith carried in a few useful items
and said "hello", and in return received hugs and
lots of smiles, I had to get them to school but they wanted
to stop by where the horses were first, what an honor to see
a beautiful sight to start the day! - Dawn Smith

In Madison tonight

Good morning everyone, safe ride today, you are all in my heart.....
Good evening everyone, I love the posts, its so nice to see all
of you, you all look so content, happy. Have a good night's rest
and we will see you in a few days here in Pipestone. I will be
praying and thinking of all of you.. - Alice Erickson

Shout
out to my two cousins Mike Fasig & Steven Hansen as well as
William Knapp. The 3 of them are currently delivering 10 bales
of donated hay, for the Dakota Horses. It will take two trips
from Minneapolis to Hudson Wi to Morton - Michelle Mills